U.S. patent number 7,721,943 [Application Number 10/937,108] was granted by the patent office on 2010-05-25 for two way electronic media mailer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Moore Wallace North America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey W. Banks, Jon Bartelli, Harvey Halperin, Laura Leigh Helfers, Dan Perrone.
United States Patent |
7,721,943 |
Perrone , et al. |
May 25, 2010 |
Two way electronic media mailer
Abstract
A two way mailer for conveying an item from a sender to a
recipient and back is disclosed. The two way mailer comprises a
base panel, a sender address panel, and a recipient address panel.
The base panel and the sender address panel may be made from a
single contiguous piece of material or from non-contiguous pieces
of material. The recipient address panel is preferentially part of
the same contiguous material as the base panel and the sender
address panel. The sender address panel is affixed by at least one
adhesive region to the base panel to form a pocket for containing
the item during mailing. The size of the pocket eliminates free
space and flushes the item with an edge of the pocket which first
enters automated postal processing equipment. In this
configuration, a fragile item may be conveyed from the sender to
the recipient and from the recipient back to the sender without
damage to the item.
Inventors: |
Perrone; Dan (Gurnee, IL),
Helfers; Laura Leigh (Plainfield, IL), Banks; Jeffrey W.
(Elk Grove Village, IL), Bartelli; Jon (Elgin, IL),
Halperin; Harvey (Kiamesha Lake, NY) |
Assignee: |
Moore Wallace North America,
Inc. (Stamford, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
35995114 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/937,108 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20060049069 A1 |
Mar 9, 2006 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/305;
229/304 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
27/06 (20130101); B65D 85/544 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
27/06 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;229/305,304 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Internet World Wide Web page, www.gluefold.com/twoway.htm, printed
Aug. 3, 2006. cited by other .
Internet World Wide Web page, www.gluefold.com/saledvd.htm, printed
Aug. 3, 2006. cited by other .
Internet World Wide Web page,
www.dmia.org/dmiasearch/am.sub.--pm/search/srhresults.2.cfm?id=277,
printed Aug. 3, 2006. cited by other .
Internet World Wide Web page,
www.onedisc.com/about/release.sub.--20060303.php, printed Aug. 3,
2006. cited by other .
Internet World Wide Web page,
http://www.sheppardenvelope.com/envelopes/two-way-boomerang.html,
printed Aug. 3, 2006. cited by other .
Internet World Wide Web page,
http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/1682.sub.--chapter2.pdf,
printed Aug. 3, 2006. cited by other .
Internet World Wide Web page, www.sleevetown.com/dvd-mailer.shtml,
printed Aug. 3, 2006. cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Newhouse; Nathan J
Assistant Examiner: Morgan, Jr.; Jack H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman,
LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A two way mailer, comprising: a base panel including a leading
edge, a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, an inside face,
and an outside face opposite the inside face; a recipient address
panel integral to the base panel wherein the recipient address
panel and the base panel share a first common edge different from
and extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge; a
sender address panel integral to the base panel wherein the sender
address panel and the base panel share a second common edge distal
to the first common edge, and different from and extending between
the leading edge and the trailing edge, further wherein the sender
address panel includes at least one first adhesive region, wherein
the at least one first adhesive region affixes the sender address
panel to the inside face of the base panel; a sender address region
disposed on the sender address panel; a single pocket defined by
the affixed region of the base panel and the sender address panel,
wherein the pocket is closer to the leading edge of the base panel
than the trailing edge of the base panel, and wherein the pocket
opens adjacent to the first common edge; a recipient panel flap
integral to the recipient address panel wherein the recipient panel
flap and the recipient share a third common edge extending between
the leading edge and the trailing edge; a recipient address region
disposed on the outside face of the recipient address panel; a
second adhesive region disposed along the recipient panel flap,
wherein the second adhesive region affixes the recipient panel flap
to the outside face of the base panel such that the recipient
address panel substantially covers the sender address panel when
the base panel is folded about the first common edge thereby hiding
the sender address region, and such that the recipient address
region is visible; a longitudinal perforation line parallel to the
first common edge, located distal to the first common edge on the
recipient address panel and extending between the leading edge and
the trailing edge such that the portion of the recipient address
panel containing the recipient address region may be removed from
the base panel; a third adhesive region disposed between the first
common edge and the longitudinal perforation line; and a removable
liner disposed over the third adhesive region, wherein when the
removable liner is removed, the second adhesive region adheres to
the inside face of the base panel to substantially close the formed
pocket and to expose the sender address region.
2. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the sender address panel
comprises a same contiguous piece of material as the base
panel.
3. The two way mailer of claim 2 wherein the recipient address
panel comprises the same contiguous piece of material as the base
panel and the sender address panel.
4. The two way mailer of claim 1, further comprising an advertising
area integral to the recipient address panel.
5. The two way mailer of claim 4 wherein the advertising area
comprises an additional non-contiguous piece of material.
6. The two way mailer of claim 4 wherein the advertising area
comprises information personalized for a recipient.
7. The two way mailer of claim 3, further comprising an advertising
area integral to the recipient address panel, wherein the
advertising area includes advertisements printed directly on the
recipient address panel.
8. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein at least one of the
adhesive regions comprises a plurality of sub-adhesive regions.
9. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the at least one first
adhesive region comprises a leading edge adhesive region and a
trailing edge adhesive region opposite the leading edge adhesive
region, further wherein the leading edge adhesive region and the
trailing edge adhesive region seal a leading edge and a trailing
edge opposite the leading edge of the sender address panel to the
leading edge and the trailing edge of the base panel.
10. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the base panel, the
sender address panel, and the recipient address panel comprise one
or more non-contiguous pieces of material.
11. The two way mailer of claim 10 wherein the at least one first
adhesive region comprises a leading edge adhesive region, a
trailing edge adhesive region opposite the leading edge adhesive
region and a top adhesive region perpendicular to the trailing edge
adhesive region and the leading edge adhesive region, further
wherein the leading edge adhesive region and the trailing edge
adhesive region seal a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite
the leading edge of the sender address panel to the leading edge
and the trailing edge of the base panel, further wherein the top
adhesive region seals a top edge of the sender address panel to a
top edge of the base panel.
12. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the pocket receives an
electronic media item.
13. The two way mailer of claim 12 wherein the electronic media
item is a digital versatile disk (DVD).
14. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the base panel, the
sender address panel, and the recipient address panel are
rectangular.
15. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein a recipient may open the
longitudinal perforation line to gain access to an item in the
pocket.
16. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein a label attaches to the
recipient address region, further wherein the label includes a
recipient address.
17. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the two way mailer meets
United States Postal Service most favorable rates for automatable
first class letters.
18. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the sender address region
includes alphanumeric text imaged parallel to the first common
edge.
19. The two way mailer of claim 1 wherein the recipient address
region includes alphanumeric text imaged parallel to the first
common edge.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to mailers and envelopes.
The invention relates more specifically to a two way mailer
structured to protect a fragile item during both sending and
returning the item.
BACKGROUND
Combination envelopes that can carry an item from a sender to a
recipient, and back to the sender, are used in several business
contexts. For example, in the context of invoicing and payment,
multiple-folded envelopes have been used in which an invoice is
affixed by a perforation to a reply envelope. The invoice is folded
over and sealed to form a closed sending envelope, and an adhesive
strip is provided adjacent to the reply envelope. When the customer
receives such an envelope or "piece," the customer opens the piece,
detaches the invoice, inserts a check for payment in the reply
envelope, affixes the adhesive strip, and dispatches the sealed
reply envelope in the mail. The use of this past approach, however,
has been limited to paper enclosures such as invoices and the
like.
The development of the Digital Versatile Disc ("DVD") as a medium
for carrying digital movie and video information has led to new
rental business models that use postal mail for media transport.
For example, Netflix, Inc., of Los Gatos, Calif., offers a DVD
rental service in which a subscriber establishes an online "pick
list" of DVD movies that the subscriber wishes to rent. When a
selected one of the DVD movies on the pick list becomes available
in inventory, Netflix mails the selected DVD movie to the
subscriber. The subscriber views the DVD and returns it to Netflix
by mail. When the DVD is received at Netflix, the subscriber is
entitled to receive another available DVD from the pick list.
In this context, however, problems can be encountered as the DVD
passes through the postal delivery system. The packaging used to
convey the DVD from Netflix to the customer passes through
high-speed automatic sorting equipment at postal facilities.
Further, the packaging used to convey the DVD from the customer to
Netflix passes through high-speed automatic cancellation equipment
at postal facilities, during which a postal cancellation mark is
applied to the packaging. Because DVDs are manufactured from
relatively brittle plastic material, and because the cancellation
marks are applied with considerable force, a percentage of DVDs
passing through the postal system in this manner are subject to
damage, breakage or mutilation. In some cases, the mailers known in
the art may not be compatible with automated postal facility
equipment. This incompatibility generates additional problems
because delays in delivery occur as a consequence of the extra time
required to sort the mailers manually.
Another problem relating to two way mailers concerns convenience.
Customers of rental approaches, such as the DVD approach described
above, demand convenience. When an item is sent to the customer,
the customer expects to receive some form of postpaid return
packaging with the item. Sending the return packaging separately is
not practical or convenient. Accordingly, in this field there is a
need for a packaging system in which a sending package and a return
package are provided concurrently. Furthermore, customers need a
two way mailer with an easy use design. Problems arise when the
insertion of the media is too time consuming or difficult for the
consumer. Lastly, customers require quick and reliable turn-around
times for receipt and return of items.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for a way to package
a fragile or breakable item for transport in the postal system from
one party to another party in a manner that allows for running
through automated equipment and that protects the item from damage,
breakage or mutilation. The solution must also provide convenience
to customers of rental media. Others have tried to solve the
problem by including laminated leading edges of a thickness great
enough to ensure the postal cancellation equipment does not come
into direct contact with the pocket carrying the breakable object.
In these mailers, the DVD is close to the leading edge when the
mailer is sent from the sender and close to the trailing edge when
the mailer is sent from the recipient. However, the added
dimensions of the laminated leading edge results in mailers unable
to meet the postal services regulations for first class automatable
letters. Because the two way mailers known in the art do not meet
first class automatable letters standards, they face an increased
postal charge of up to 20%. Furthermore, if mailers are not sent
via first class, delivery of the mailer may be delayed. These
delays in delivery can be problematic in competitive markets, as
customers generally demand quick turn around and on-time delivery
from companies renting products such as DVDs. Currently in the
United States Postal Service requires that mailers have a maximum
height of 61/8 inches, maximum length of 111/2 inches and maximum
thickness of 1/4 inch in order to qualify for first class
automation discounts. The cutoff weight for the most favorable rate
for first class automatable delivery is 1 ounce or less.
With the large cost discrepancies between types of two way mailers,
the cost of the postage that is incurred by providing customers
with the convenience of a return envelop in a rental approach is a
major concern to businesses. The average weight of an item such as
a DVD in a protective sleeve is approximately 0.58 ounces. On one
level, favorable postage rates are achieved when the total weight
of the DVD, its protective sleeve, a sending package, and a return
package are equal to or less than one ounce. Thus, there is a need
for a packaging approach that solves all the foregoing problems and
continues to have an average weight of one ounce or less that
passes the United States Postal Services requirements for the most
favorable rate for first class automatable mail.
Still another issue involves the cost of the packaging materials
that are incurred. For a for-profit business engaged in the
foregoing rental business, having packaging materials that satisfy
all the foregoing requirements and have minimum cost is most
desirable. Consequently, there is a need for a packaging approach
that solves all the preceding problems in a way that offers minimal
cost.
SUMMARY
This invention relates to a two way mailer developed to permit a
sender to send digital media such as a DVD to a recipient and have
the recipient send the electronic media back in the same mailer.
More specifically, the invention relates to a two way mailer having
size dimensions allowing favorable first class automated letter
postage rates. The invention also relates to a pocket for the
electronic media contained within the mailer, which secures and
protects the electronic media during mailing.
One aspect of the present invention provides a pocket in the mailer
that reduces the amount of free space as compared to two way
electronic media mailers known in the art. This reduction in free
space constrains the item in the pocket during mailing. The item in
the pocket is flushed against the leading edge of the pocket both
when the item is initially sent by the sender to the recipient and
when the item is sent back by the recipient to the sender. Thus,
the item in the pocket is flush to the edge in which the two way
mailer enters the automated processing equipment of the United
States Postal Service. This way, the item enters the automated
processing equipment in the same direction both when the two way
mailer is sent from the sender to the recipient and when the two
way mailer is sent from the recipient back to the sender. As used
herein, "sent" generally means mailed through the United States
Postal Service. However, one of skill in the art will understand
that "sent" may encompass delivery through alternative systems,
such as Federal Express (Fedex) or United Parcel Service (UPS).
Another aspect of the invention provides for added convenience and
ease of use for recipients who receive an item in the two way
mailer. This added convenience is a result of the fact there are
generally only three steps involved for the recipient to return the
two way mailer to the sender. These steps include removal of the
recipient address panel, insertion of the item, and closure of the
recipient address panel adhesive region prior to mailing.
Although not meant to be limiting, embodiments of the invention may
be better illustrated by the drawings and detailed description set
forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a two way mailer;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the opposite side of the two way mailer of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the two way mailer of FIG. 1 in a
folded configuration for sending an item from a sender to a
recipient;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the two way mailer of FIG. 3 taken
along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the two way mailer side shown in FIG.
2 in a folded configuration for sending an item from a recipient to
a sender;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the two way mailer of FIG. 5 taken
along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a two way mailer 100 comprising a base
panel 102, sender address panel 104, and recipient address panel
106. Base panel 102 and sender address panel 104 each comprise a
leading edge 102LE, 104LE, respectively, and a trailing edge 102TE,
104TE, respectively. In this context, "leading edge" refers to an
edge that first enters an automatic postal processing machine as
two way mailer 100 is processed by the machine, and "trailing edge"
refers to an edge that last enters the machine.
Sender address panel 104 may be affixed to base panel 102 by a
leading edge adhesive region 108 and a trailing edge adhesive
region 110. In certain embodiments, the base panel 102 and sender
address panel 104 will be made from a contiguous piece of material
with a fold 112. In alternative embodiments, sender address panel
and base panel will be made from two separate pieces of material.
In these embodiments, a top adhesive region will replace fold 112.
This fold or top adhesive region forms a common edge shared by the
sender address panel and the base panel. The leading edge adhesive
region 108 affixes the leading edge of sender address panel 104 to
a corresponding leading edge of base panel 102. A second side
adhesive region 110 affixes a second side edge of the sender
address panel 104 to a corresponding second side edge of the base
panel 102. In some embodiments, the sender address panel 104, base
panel 102, leading edge adhesive region 108 and trailing edge
adhesive region 110 and fold 112 define a pocket 101 having an open
end 101A that may receive an item. In some embodiments, if the
sender address panel 104 and the base panel 102 are made from
non-contiguous pieces of material, in place of fold 112, a top
adhesive region may be used to seal the top edge of the pocket. The
pocket comprises a leading edge 101LE and a trailing edge 101TE. In
further embodiments, a sleeve that further encloses the item being
sent will be adapted to fit into the defined pocket. In these
embodiments, the types of sleeves are not limited and may include
sleeves commonly used to protect media such as DVDs and CDs. In
some embodiments, the sleeves may have advertisements or
instructions printed or affixed to them.
Sender address panel 104 is the face of the two way mailer 100 that
is exposed to postal authorities or other shipment personnel when
the two way mailer is conveyed from a recipient back to a sender.
Accordingly, panel 104 may be printed with indicia relating to the
sender and postage or other elements relating to properly
transporting the two way mailer 100. In one embodiment, a sender
address region 120 bears a label, printing or other indicia that
identifies a postal address of the sender, and a postage region 118
bears postage, or identifies a postage permit number, or provides
an indication that the sender has prepaid postage due for sending
the two way mailer 100 back to the sender. Postage region 118 may
bear a facing identification mark (FIM), barcode, or other postal
service indicia that is readable by automatic handling
equipment.
In one embodiment, the base panel 102, sender address panel 104,
and recipient address panel 106 are made of paper that bears
printed indicia. An example of paper that may be used in certain
embodiments includes 50# offset. Embodiments of the invention may
also work with 40# and 45# offset as well as matte and glossy
paper. One of skill in the art will understand that the printed
indicia may be of any form, including but not limited to business
identifiers. As an alternative to paper, the base panel 102, sender
address panel 104, and recipient address panel 106 may comprise
synthetic stock such as polyethylene, or other paper stock such as
cardstock, or the like. The skilled artisan understands that the
base panel 102, sender address panel 104, and recipient address
panel 106 may be made from any material that satisfies the
requirements of the invention. The skilled artisan also understands
that the mailer of the invention may be made from a contiguous
piece or non-contiguous piece of any of the above materials. In
embodiments where the base panel, sender address panel, and
recipient address panel are not made from a contiguous piece of
material, each panel may be made from various materials.
Leading edge adhesive region 108 and trailing edge adhesive region
110 join the base panel to the sender address panel. The leading
edge adhesive region and trailing edge adhesive region may comprise
water based permanent adhesive. In some embodiments, either
Adhering Spine/Pocket Glue or Superior Maching Pocked Glue may be
used as the adhesive.
Base panel 102 joins recipient address panel 106 at a fold 109.
This fold forms a common edge between the recipient address panel
106 and the base panel 102. Although the embodiment in FIG. 1
demonstrates fold 109 slightly below the bottom edge of pocket 101,
one skilled in the art will understand that fold 109 may align with
the bottom edge of pocket 101 or may be at any position between the
bottom edge of pocket 101 and lower perforation line 125. In some
embodiments, a sender address panel adhesive region 114 is defined
by an area adjacent to fold 109. Sender address panel adhesive
region 114 may have any appropriate adhesive medium for sealing the
region 114 onto sender address panel 104, thereby sealing pocket
101 when an item is sent back from a recipient to a sender. As one
of skill in the art understands, methods of attachment, in addition
to sealing, are contemplated by the invention. Adjacent to sender
address panel adhesive region 114, the recipient address panel may
also have a lower perforation line 125. When sending an item back
to a sender, the recipient may open the perforation and remove most
of the recipient address panel 106. Then the recipient may seal the
remaining part of the recipient address panel to the sender address
panel 104 using the sender address panel adhesive region 114. In
one embodiment, the adhesive of the sender address panel adhesive
region and/or the recipient address panel adhesive region comprises
fugitive glue with a UV barrier used with a quick release strip.
When using this type of adhesive, the quick release strip 113 may
cover the sender address panel adhesive region 114 and the
recipient address panel adhesive region 116. One of skill in the
art understands that the dimensions of the quick release strip 113
may either be the same or different depending on whether the strip
covers the sender address panel adhesive region 114 or the
recipient address panel adhesive region 116. Furthermore, the quick
release strip 113 need not be rectangular in dimension. In some
embodiments, the adhesive used for the strips may be Perm PSHM for
Stickers or Waterbase Perm PSA for stickers. In these or
alternative embodiments, the UV barrier coating may be Cationic
Silicone or free radical silicone. In certain embodiments, each of
the folds described herein may function, additionally or
alternatively, as a detachable joint. Furthermore, the lower
perforation line discussed above, as well as the additional
perforation lines discussed below, including the longitudinal
perforation line and the perforation line in the additional piece
of material, may also function as a detachable joint. In certain
embodiments, the perforations will be formed using seven
perforation teeth per inch (7 TPI). However, as one of skill in the
art understands, any type of perforation, including those with
either greater or lesser numbers of teeth per inch, may be
used.
Recipient address panel 106 has an inside face 106A and outside
face 106B. The inside face 106A of recipient address panel 106 has
an advertising area 123. In some embodiments, this advertising area
will be printed with instructions on how to use the two-way mailer
or how to use the enclosed media. In some embodiments, the
advertising area 123 will be formed from a contiguous piece of
material. In certain other embodiments, the advertising area 123
will be formed from a non-contiguous additional piece of material
127 that is affixed to the inside face of 106A. This additional
piece of material 127 helps to cushion and stabilize the item when
it is sent from the sender to the recipient. In some embodiments,
this additional piece of material 127 will contain coupons that can
be removed from the recipient address panel. In other embodiments,
the additional piece of material may be personalized to the
particular recipient. A non-limited example of a personalized
message includes information about items that may be of interest to
the recipient, such as DVDs of interest. Furthermore, billing
information may be included on the additional piece of
material.
As demonstrated by the embodiment of FIG. 2, a distal end 106C of
inside face 106A may be provided with a longitudinal perforation
line 117 adjacent to a recipient address panel adhesive region 116,
which may have any appropriate adhesive medium for sealing the
recipient address panel adhesive region 116 onto the outside face
102B of base address panel, thereby sealing the entire two way
mailer 100 and closing the pocket 101 when an item is sent from a
sender to a recipient. Certain embodiments use quick release strips
and fugitive glue with a UV barrier as the adhesive. When using
this type of adhesive, the quick release strip may cover the
recipient address panel adhesive region.
The outside face 106B of recipient address panel 106 is the face of
the two way mailer 100 that is exposed to postal authorities or
other shipment personnel when the two way mailer is conveyed from a
sender to a recipient. Accordingly, outside face 106B may be
printed with indicia relating to the recipient and postage or other
elements relating to properly transporting the two way mailer 100.
As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a recipient address region
122 bears a label, printing or other indicia that identifies a
postal address of the recipient; and a postage region 124 bears
postage, or identifies a postage permit number, or provides an
indication that the sender has prepaid postage due for sending the
two way mailer 100 to the recipient. In some embodiments, the label
and/or postage will be in the form of an attachable adhesive label.
In other embodiments, the label will be printed directly on the on
the material of the two way mailer.
In manufacturing some embodiments, panels 102, 104, and 106 may be
formed as a contiguous sheet that is folded at edge 112 and fold
109 using suitable folding equipment. One advantage of this
embodiment is that the entire two-way mailer may be assembled and
printed in-line. In this embodiment, a single printing press may be
used to print, fold and attach adhesive to the two way mailer. The
use of a completely in-line manufacturing process for the two way
mailer provides numerous advantages such as an increase in
manufacturing efficiency and a decrease in manufacturing costs.
Alternatively, panels 102 and 106 may be formed as a contiguous
sheet that is folded at fold 109 using suitable folding equipment,
and panel 104 may be attached to panel 102.
The dimensions of panels 102, 104, and 106 may vary in different
embodiments. In an embodiment that qualifies for transport by the
United States Postal Service as the most favorable rate of "first
class automatable letter" mail, rather than as a "non-automatable
letter," the height of individual panels 102, 104 and 106 when the
mailer is sealed as measured in the up-and-down direction of FIG. 1
is no more than 5.5'', and each panel has an overall width of about
71/8''. In some embodiments, it will be advantageous to minimize
the amount of material used for the two way mailer so that the
mailer plus the item weighs equal to or less than 1 ounce.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the two way mailer of FIG. 1 in a
folded configuration for sending an item from a sender to a
recipient. As one of skill in the art will understand, as used
herein, a recipient may include the person or business to whom the
two way mailer is addressed. A recipient may also include someone
who receives the two way mailer by means other than through the
mail. For example, a recipient may include any member of a
household residing at the recipient address regardless of the
recipient name printed on the mailer. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of
the two way mailer of FIG. 3 taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3. In
FIG. 4, as well as in FIG. 6, the thickness of panels is depicted
in greatly exaggerated form, so that the relationship of panels in
a folded configuration is clear. In most embodiments, the thickness
of the panels when taken together with the item will be less than
1/4 inch, so that the two way mailer may meet first class
automatable letter standards.
In the embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an item 130 is carried in
the pocket 101 defined by base panel 102 and sender address panel
104. Recipient address panel 106 is folded at fold 109 over sender
address panel 104 such that outside face of recipient address panel
106B is exposed to postal authorities or other methods of
transport. Recipient address panel adhesive region 116 is folded at
longitudinal perforation line 117 around and under base panel 102
and sender address panel 104 such that the adhesive of the
recipient address panel adhesive region 116 affixes recipient
address panel 106 to base panel 102.
In folded and secured arrangement, the item may be conveyed from
the sender to the recipient. Upon receipt, the recipient opens the
two way mailer 100 by opening longitudinal perforation line 117.
Once longitudinal perforation line 117 is opened, the perforated
edges may be demonstrated by 117A. Advantageously, in some
embodiments, the recipient address panel adhesive region 116
remains attached to the base panel 102 when the recipient opens the
longitudinal perforation line 117. This provides a benefit of
reducing the small strip of trash often found when many two way
mailers are opened. Thus, if the recipient does not want to discard
the recipient address panel 106 when opening the two way mailer, no
trash is created. This advantage coexists with the advantage of a
tight seal that prevents the items in the mailer from exiting the
pocket during mailing. Once the two way mailer is opened, the
recipient may then open recipient address panel 106 by moving it in
a downward direction with respect to FIG. 3. The recipient may
break lower perforation line 125 and discard most of recipient
address panel 106. When the lower perforation line has been opened,
the perforated edges may be identified by 125A. In embodiments
where an additional piece of material 127 is used over the inside
face 106A of the recipient address panel, the additional piece of
material 127 will also have a perforation line corresponding to
lower perforation line 125. This additional perforation line keeps
the additional piece of material 127 from being torn when the
recipient address panel 106 is discarded. The skilled artisan will
understand that the additional piece of material 127 will not need
to have a perforation line corresponding to perforation line 125 if
the additional piece of material 127 is small enough not to overlap
lower perforation line 125 on the recipient address panel 106. In
some embodiments, the additional piece of material 127 will not be
placed over the inside face 106A of the recipient address panel. In
these embodiments, printed messages, including advertising may be
placed directly on the inside face 106A of the recipient address
panel. In other embodiments, the additional piece of material 127
will be formed with the base panel 102, sender address panel 104,
and recipient address panel 106 as a contiguous piece of material.
Following formation as a contiguous piece of material, the
additional piece of material 127 may be later adapted to specific
sizes to fit over the inside face 106A of the recipient address
panel. Once the two way mailer is opened, the recipient may remove
the item 130 from pocket 101 by sliding it in a downward or upward
direction.
To return the item to the sender the recipient re-inserts the item
130 into pocket 101. Then, if not already done, the recipient
removes the recipient address panel 106 by breaking perforation 125
and perforation 127 if present. The recipient then removes the
quick release strip 113 from the sender address panel adhesive
region, folds the sender address panel adhesive region 114 on fold
line 109 and seals the sender address panel adhesive region 114 to
sender address panel 104. The two way mailer 100 is then arranged
as seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 and is ready for transport back to the
sender. In most cases, the response item sent back to the sender
will be the same item as that sent to the recipient in the two way
mailer. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan understands that the
response item need not be the exact item sent by the sender but
must only be an item that benefits from the other constraints of
the invention. A non-limiting example includes the recipient
sending back a music CD or a video game when a movie DVD was sent
by the sender.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the two way mailer of FIG. 1 in a
folded configuration for returning an item from a recipient to a
sender. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the two way mailer of FIG. 5
taken along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5. In this arrangement, an item 130
is enclosed in pocket 101 as defined by base panel 102 and sender
address panel 104. Sender address panel adhesive region 114 is
folded at fold line 109 over sender address panel 104 and its
adhesive affixes to sender address panel 104, so that base panel
102 and sender address panel 104 form a closed two way mailer.
Sender address indicia are visible to postal authorities or other
transport equipment or personnel in sender address region 120.
In one example embodiment, the pocket 101 is sized to receive a
generally planar media item such as a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD),
Compact Disk (CD), CD-ROM, etc. In this embodiment, base panel 102
and sender address panel 104 have overall length dimensions of
approximately 5.5'' and overall width dimensions of 71/8'', and
leading edge adhesive region 108 and trailing edge adhesive region
110 have width dimensions of approximately 1/2'' and 11/2'',
respectively. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it was found that
having a larger adhesive area on the trailing edge provides less
item breakage than having a larger adhesive area on the leading
edge. This is true, even when the two way mailer is used with
automated postal processing equipment. In certain embodiments,
pocket 101 may have an approximate size of 5.75'' by 5.5''
In some embodiments, the size of the trailing edge adhesive region
110 reduces the free space of the pocket. This reduction in free
space flushes the item along the leading edge of the pocket. This
embodiment may result in a two way mailer where the item is less
likely to get destroyed or smashed during processing. However, one
of skill in the art understands that the size and configuration of
the pocket is determined by all the properties of the invention;
thus, any specific pocket size dimensions are meant to be
non-limiting. The skilled artisan understands that as well as
snugly fitting electronic media, the pocket may accommodate other
items and have other configurations.
One of skill in the art understands that the two way mailers are
not limited to use with the mailing system of the United States
Postal Service. Certain embodiments of the two way mailer may be
sent from a sender to a recipient and back to a sender using
alternative shipping companies such as Federal Express, United
Parcel Service (UPS) or the like. One of skill in the art will
understand that when used herein, "mailing" may refer to use of any
of these carriers.
In some embodiments, the leading edge adhesive region and trailing
edge adhesive region may be formed as a plurality of distinct
adhesive sub-regions, which reduce the amount of adhesive required
per two way mailer without detracting from the integrity provided
by the presence of adhesive. This type of adhesive region is
demonstrated by U.S. Patent Application 2004/0050919, herein
incorporated by reference. In alternative arrangements, any number
of adhesive sub-regions in different configurations may be used.
For example, the adhesive sub-regions may be either in a contiguous
or non-contiguous configuration. Generally, the selection of the
form and arrangement of the leading edge adhesive region and
trailing edge adhesive region may relate to an amount of postage
that a business sender is willing to pay when sending two way
mailers 100 to recipients. For example, the two way mailer 100 in
the embodiment of FIG. 1 is expected to have an approximate weight
of 0.29 ounce; when an item is placed in the two way mailer, it is
desirable in some embodiments for the item and two way mailer to
weigh equal to or less than one ounce in total, so that extra
postage does not apply. In some embodiments, changing the amount of
adhesive used for the leading edge adhesive region and trailing
edge adhesive region can determine whether a two way mailer and
item weigh more than one ounce.
Other alternative embodiments of the two way mailer may exist. As a
non-limiting example, a perforated strip may be used in place of
simple perforations. Perforated strips allow upward or downward
pulling on a portion of strip, making the two way mailer easier to
open and the recipient address panel easier to remove. Although the
two way mailer may also be easier to open with the use of
perforated strips, their use provides a disadvantage of extra
trash. In some embodiments, the perforated strips will have one or
more perforated tabs formed at the top and bottom of the strip, to
facilitate a recipient grasping and pulling on the strip. These
tabs may be either curved or arcuate, although one of skill in the
art understands that the shape of the perforated tab may vary.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such
as "up to," "at least," "greater than," "less than," and the like
include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be
subsequently broken down into subranges.
Those knowledgeable in the art will appreciate that the device of
the invention may also lead to numerous additional benefits and
advantages. Moreover, those knowledgeable in the art will
appreciate that the exemplary device of the invention shown and
described herein are but exemplary embodiments, and that many
equivalent and alternative embodiments exist within the scope of
the invention. Accordingly, discussion made herein should not be
interpreted as a limitation of the scope of the claimed
invention.
While preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it
should be understood that changes and modifications can be made
therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects as defined in
the following claims.
* * * * *
References